Ryan Rucker
@ryanrucker
Arguably the only other thing sweeter than Ryan Rucker’s blog business of ice cream recipes and recommendations is his genuine love for fatherhood and his family. The proud #girldad acts as the founder of Be Ice Cream or Be Nothing, as well as the host of Complicated Fatherhood—an Apple podcast series that explores what it means to be a father after growing up without one.
What would you say has been the most rewarding part of being a father? For me, having court-side seats for the best show in town is hands down the most rewarding part of fatherhood. No matter who my kids become in life, I’ll be able to reference the scars that built their resiliency, and the adventures that formed their sense of wonder, so as they become their own person. I’ll be one of only two people on earth who’ve had the incredible privilege of watching their lives come together from day one.
The biggest thing you’ve learned from your children is: To slow down and be curious. Time means nothing to kids, and I love that. Adults are always trying to optimize our time to be efficient, and my girls will swing on our tree swing for hours because it’s fun. They look at trees and are curious about who planted them, when they were planted, and they ask questions that I haven’t pondered in years which helps me rediscover beauty in the things that seem common.
Best piece of advice you’ve received or given regarding fatherhood? Don’t wish these moments away. Life can be a constant stream of just waiting for the next thing to happen. “I can’t wait until they walk.” “I can’t wait until they’re in school.” “I can’t wait until they graduate.” And at some point you look back and think, “Man, I wish I could go back to when they were little and just hold them one more time.” Sit in the beauty, sit in the struggle because today is the day your future self longs to relive. Show up, both physically and mentally, and don’t wish a single one of these days away.